Gambling Helpline Research Articles

Characteristics of Gambling Helpline Callers in Macao: A Regional Comparison.

Despite the continued focus on profiling gambling helpline callers, little is known about the characteristics of callers in Macao. To address this gap, this study aims to investigate the characteristics of problem gamblers calling the helpline in Macao and explore the regional differences between callers from Macao, mainland China, and Hong Kong. Specifically, the study examined their demographics, helpline usage, and gambling-related characteristics. The study used data collected by SKHSSCO between 2015 and 2021. The results showed that, at the aggregate level, the helpline callers in Macao were male, young, and full-time employees. The majority used the telephone and reported problems with casino table games. In addition, the referral rate was relatively low, while the rate of suicidal ideation was comparatively high. The results also revealed that callers from Macao, mainland China, and Hong Kong were notably distinct in these characteristics. The findings shed light on how to increase helpline accessibility and create tailored interventions and prevention efforts to better support individuals affected by problem gambling.

Brief Report: The Rise of Online Betting in Ontario

In this paper we examine the nature of calls for the Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline from June 2021 to Jan 2023 to determine if the increased marketing of online and sports gambling has changed the nature of calls to the helpline. An interrupted time series model comparing the monthly calls before and after the expansion of online gambling and advertising (April 2023), found a significant effect. Calls related to the other games examined did not have a significant interrupted time series effect of from the expansion and advertising of online gambling. The results of this analysis clearly indicate an association between the expansion of legalized gambling and gambling advertising with the number of people who call the helpline for problem related to online gambling.

Exploring the Precipitating Events and Gambling-Related Activities that Prompt Problem Gamblers and Spouses/Cohabitants to Contact a Gambling Helpline.

Gambling helplines have progressed to offer support and brief interventions for both the problem gambler (PG) and their spouse/cohabitant (S/C). S/Cs play an important role in assisting their partner with their recovery from a gambling disorder. However, few studies have investigated the concerns of both PGs and S/Cs who contact gambling helplines. The purpose of this study is to examine the reasons, gambling activities, and gambling locations/venues endorsed by PGs and S/Cs who contacted a state-wide gambling helpline. 938 individuals (809 PGs; 129 S/Cs) from the state of Florida contacted the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling helpline to discuss gambling-related concerns. Helpline contacts (calls, texts, e-mails, and live chat interactions) between the period of July 1st, 2019, to June 30th, 2020, were examined. Callers/contacts provided information related to their demographic characteristics, the precipitating event leading to contact, the PG's primary gambling activity, and venue most often used by the PG. Chi-square tests were utilized to examine relationships and gender differences between PGs and S/Cs. Significant differences were found between the precipitating events for contacting the helpline and primary gambling locations/venues identified by PGs and S/Cs. Furthermore, gender differences were observed in the primary gambling activities and gambling locations/venues endorsed by the PG and S/C. The results suggest that PGs and S/Cs held different reasons when contacting the helpline. Future research should delve deeper into these disparities in order to build intervention programs tailored to the needs of both PGs and their S/Cs.

The evaluation of a brief ICBT program with therapist support for individuals with gambling problems in the context of a gambling helpline: a randomized pilot trial

Background and aimsGambling helplines are a natural way of first contact for individuals with gambling problems. However, few studies have evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of brief interventions in a gambling helpline. To reduce this knowledge gap, this study evaluated the feasibility of an online cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) program in the context of a gambling helpline as a first step towards a full-scale RCT.DesignThis is a two-group parallel randomized controlled pilot trial where the participants were randomized to either a brief four-module ICBT program (n = 22) or a control group (n = 21). Participants were followed up weekly during the intervention, post intervention, and 6 weeks upon completion of intervention.ParticipantsA total of 43 self-identified individuals with gambling problems (scoring 3 or more on the Problem Gambling Severity Index) were recruited via the Swedish national gambling helpline, 59% females, mean age 43.7 years.MeasurementsFeasibility of the procedure and intervention (i.e., recruitment pace, attrition, program engagement, and satisfaction) were the primary outcomes; treatment effect (net gambling losses) was the secondary outcome.ResultsApproximately 2 participants per week were randomized, and retention was low, with 47% lost to follow-up at the 6-week follow-up time-point. Most participants engaged in the online modules (86%) and rated their overall satisfaction with the program as high (7.5 out of 10). Both groups decreased their weekly gambling losses at both follow-up time-points, but the between-group comparisons were inconclusive.ConclusionIt is not advisable to conduct a full-scale RCT based on the results from this pilot study. Future studies in a gambling helpline should consider interventions that are more suited to be incorporated in a gambling helpline and identify ways to increase participant engagement.Trial registrationThe study was retrospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT04609007, 29/10/2020).

Evaluation of a Brief Online Self-help Program for Concerned Gamblers

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and module content of a brief online self-help program for concerned gamblers, i.e., gamblers who perceived a need to change their gambling habits, in the context of a gambling helpline. The program consisted of four modules based on Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), covering motivation to change, logging gambling behaviors, planning and implementing gambling-free activities, and managing risk situations. Gambling expenditures were also logged in the program, and their development over time were analyzed as longitudinal data using marginalized two-part models. Out of 4655 gamblers recruited via the helpline’s webpage, 92% completed content in at least one module, and 23% were active in all four modules. Attrition was in general high, with only 10% retention in the gambling log for longer than 14 days. Gambling expenditures decreased for those who logged them for a shorter time period, whereas it increased for those who logged expenditures for a longer time period. This study shows that it is relatively easy to recruit participants to an online program for concerned gamblers in the context of a gambling helpline. However, since few users logged in to the program more than once, we suggest future online programs to have open modules with all content accessible at once.

Gambler clusters and problem gambling severity: A cluster analysis of Swedish gamblers accessing an online problem gambling screener.

It has been proposed that overall gambling involvement has a stronger association with problem gambling (PG) than any specific game type. However, few studies have used multiple analytic approaches on the same data set to assess these relationships. The aims of the current study were to identify patterns of gambling activity (PGAs) and to assess the relationships between different game types, PGAs, gambling involvement, and PG as measured by the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), using two different approaches. In a sample of Swedish gamblers who screened their gambling habits at the Swedish national gambling helpline website (N = 7,463, 79% males), seven different PGAs were identified. Increased gambling involvement was associated with PG severity, and the strength of the association varied by game type. Online casino games and electronic gambling machines had the weakest involvement effect and lotteries the strongest. Almost 50% of the gamblers belonged to the online casino PGA, characterized by online casino gambling. Gamblers in this PGA showed higher PGSI scores compared to three PGAs: online sports/online casino, horse/lottery, and online sports, and they had lower PGSI scores compared to the diverse PGA, characterized by engagement in all game types. No differences in PGSI scores were found between gamblers in three PGAs with high probability of online casino gambling but with varying engagement levels in other game types. In a Swedish context, the results from this study indicate that the focus of prevention and regulation should be on game types with the strongest associations with PG, namely, online casino games. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Characteristics of Gamblers Who Use the French National Problem Gambling Helpline and Real-Time Chat Facility: Longitudinal Observational Study.

BackgroundProblem gambling is a growing public health issue that is characterized by low rates of face-to-face help seeking. Helplines and real-time chat services could reduce shortfalls in treatment.ObjectiveThis study aimed to (1) describe the characteristics of gamblers contacting a government-funded help service, (2) study the evolution of their characteristics over time, (3) evaluate the differences between subgroups (ie, gender, media used for gambling, and media used to contact the service), and (4) explore factors influencing referral to care.MethodsFrom January 2011 to December 2015, a government-funded gambling helpline and real-time chat website in France received 9474 contacts from gamblers. Counselors filled in a form for each contact, collecting demographics, gambling characteristics, and referrals. Time-series analyses were performed. Univariate logistic models were used to assess differences across subgroups. A multivariate analysis was conducted to determine the variables related to an actual referral.ResultsGamblers were predominantly men (7017/9474, 74.07%); the average age was 41 years (SD 14). Compared with the men, the women were older (mean 50.7 years, SD 14.0 vs mean 37.9 years, SD 13.0, respectively; P<.001), were more often solely offline gamblers (1922/2457, 78.23% vs 4386/7017, 62.51%, respectively; P<.001), and had different gambling patterns. Compared with helpline contacts, real-time chat contacts were more often men (124/150, 82.7% vs 3643/4881, 74.64%, respectively; P=.04), younger (mean 32.8 years, SD 12.9 vs mean 41.3 years, SD 14.3, respectively; P<.001), more often poker gamblers (41/150, 27.3% vs 592/4881, 12.13%, respectively; P<.001), and more often web-based gamblers (83/150, 55.3% vs 1462/4881, 29.95%, respectively; P<.001). Referral was positively associated with betting (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.46, 95% CI 1.27-1.67; P<.001), casino gambling (aOR 1.38, 95% CI 1.21-1.57; P<.001), scratch cards (aOR 1.83, 95% CI 1.58-2.12; P<.001), poker gambling (aOR 1.35, 95% CI 1.14-1.61; P<.001), lottery (aOR 1.27, 95% CI 1.03-1.56; P=.03), weekly gambling (aOR 1.73, 95% CI 1.40-2.15; P<.001), request for referral (aOR 17.76, 95% CI 14.92-21.13; P<.001), and a history of suicide attempts (aOR 2.13, 95% CI 1.51-3.02; P<.001), and it was negatively associated with web-based gambling (aOR 0.86, 95% CI 0.75-0.98; P=.030) and refusal to be referred (aOR 0.35, 95% CI 0.26-0.49; P<.001).ConclusionsThe governmental helpline and chat contacts included a broad range of sociodemographic profiles. Compared with the helpline, real-time chat exchanges reached a younger population of web-based gamblers, which was the target population. The development of the gambling helpline and help online website is a considerable challenge for the future.

Can a Brief Telephone Intervention for Problem Gambling Help to Reduce Co-existing Depression? A Three-Year Prospective Study in New Zealand.

Problematic gambling and depression commonly co-exist, with limited research indicating that depression and/or psychological distress appear to reduce with brief interventions for problem gambling. The present study was designed to examine the effect, over 36months, of a brief problem gambling intervention on depression in a population of people seeking help for gambling issues. One-hundred and thirty-one participants were recruited from adult (18+ years) gambler callers to the New Zealand national gambling helpline. They received a manualised version of the helpline's brief intervention, and were assessed at baseline, 12 and 36months. Overall, problem gambling severity reduced from a score of 17 (using the Problem Gambling Severity Index) at baseline to a score of 7.5 at 36months. The percentage of participants with depression reduced from 74% at baseline to 41% at 36months. For both problem gambling and depression, the greatest reduction was in the first 12months. Multiple logistic regression analyses at baseline showed an association between problem gambling and depression. Repeated measures logistic regression indicated that reduced problem gambling severity reduced depression and that there was no independent time effect taking place (i.e. the decreased depression was not due to natural recovery). Thus a single brief telephone intervention for problem gambling substantially reduced the prevalence of depression. This has clinical and public health implications with a benefit being that people with depression and co-existing gambling problems may not necessarily need additional treatment for depression if they receive treatment for their gambling issues.

Brief telephone interventions for problem gambling: a randomized controlled trial.

Problem gambling is a significant public health issue world-wide. There is substantial investment in publicly funded intervention services, but limited evaluation of effectiveness. This study investigated three brief telephone interventions to determine whether they were more effective than standard helpline treatment in helping people to reduce gambling. Randomized clinical trial. National gambling helpline in New Zealand. A total of 462 adults with problem gambling. INTERVENTIONS AND COMPARATOR: (1) Single motivational interview (MI), (2) single motivational interview plus cognitive-behavioural self-help workbook (MI+W) and (3) single motivational interview plus workbook plus four booster follow-up telephone interviews (MI+W+B). Comparator was helpline standard care [treatment as usual (TAU)]. Blinded follow-up was at 3, 6 and 12months. Primary outcomes were days gambled, dollars lost per day and treatment goal success. There were no differences across treatment arms, although participants showed large reductions in gambling during the 12-month follow-up period [mean reduction of 5.5days, confidence interval (CI)=4.8, 6.2; NZ$38 lost ($32, $44; 80.6%), improved (77.2%, 84.0%)]. Subgroup analysis revealed improved days gambled and dollars lost for MI+W+B over MI or MI+W for a goal of reduction of gambling (versus quitting) and improvement in dollars lost by ethnicity, gambling severity and psychological distress (all P<0.01). MI+W+B was associated with greater treatment goal success for higher gambling severity than TAU or MI at 12months and also better for those with higher psychological distress and lower self-efficacy to MI (all P<0.01). TAU and MI were found to be equivalent in terms of dollars lost. In treatment of problem gambling in New Zealand, brief telephone interventions are associated with changes in days gambling and dollars lost similar to more intensive interventions, suggesting that more treatment is not necessarily better than less. Some client subgroups, in particular those with greater problem severity and greater distress, achieve better outcomes when they receive more intensive treatment.

Gender Differences Among Helpline Callers: Prospective Study of Gambling and Psychosocial Outcomes.

Despite the increasing amount of empirical research on gambling helplines (e.g., characteristics, effectiveness), little is known about gender differences on treatment outcomes following contact. The present research addresses this gap in the literature via secondary analysis of an uncontrolled outcome study of New Zealand's gambling helpline (N=150). To this end, the present research had three aims; (a) explore gender differences (e.g., demographics, co-morbidities, gambling variables) among helpline callers using psychometrically robust measures, (b) assess whether gender predicts treatment utilization following contact and (c) assess whether systematic gender differences exist on gambling and psychosocial outcomes at 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-ups. The results revealed that at baseline, women compared to men, described greater problem severity and shorter problem duration, and were more likely to report electronic gaming machines as their most problematic form of gambling. Women also reported greater distress and lower quality of life. Men, despite less problem severity and distress, were more likely to access treatment following helpline contact. Importantly, both men and women reported significant and equivalent improvements in both gambling and psychosocial outcomes following helpline contact. The improved outcomes remained significant after controlling for treatment attendance. Although different approaches for women may be required by helplines if the goal is to refer callers to treatment, the results suggest that after calling the helpline, women reduced their problematic gambling and improved psychosocial functioning without further treatment.

Barriers to and Reasons for Treatment Initiation Among Gambling Help-line Callers.

Identifying barriers to seeking treatment is essential for increasing problem gambler treatment initiation in the community, given that as few as 1 in 10 problem gamblers ever seek treatment. Further, many problem gamblers who take the initial step of contacting problem gambling help-lines do not subsequently go on to attend face-to-face treatment. There is limited research examining reasons for attending treatment among this population. This study addressed these gaps in the literature by examining barriers and attractions to treatment among callers to the State of Michigan Problem Gambling Help-line. In total, 143 callers (n = 86 women) completed the Barriers to Treatment for Problem Gambling (BTPG) questionnaire and responded to open-ended questions regarding barriers to and reasons for treatment initiation, as part of a telephone interview. Greater endorsement of barriers to treatment was associated with a lower likelihood of initiating treatment, especially perceived absence of problem and treatment unavailability. Correspondingly, problem gamblers who identified more reasons to attend treatment were more likely to attend, with positive treatment perceptions being the most influential. These findings can help get people into treatment by addressing barriers and fostering reasons for attending treatment, as well as reminding clinicians of the importance of identifying and addressing individual treatment barriers among patients with problem gambling.

Problem Gambling Among Urban and Rural Gamblers in Limpopo Province, South Africa: Associations with Hazardous and Harmful Alcohol Use and Psychological Distress.

Little is known about the mental health correlates of problem gambling in low- and-middle-income countries such as South Africa and whether these correlates vary by urbanicity. To address this gap, we examined mental health factors associated with problem gambling among gamblers in Limpopo Province, South Africa disaggregated by rural, peri-urban and urban location. A survey of gambling behaviour and mental health was conducted among 900 gamblers. Overall, 28.3% were at high risk and 38.1% were at moderate risk for problem gambling. For the entire sample, hazardous/harmful alcohol use was associated with almost twofold increased chance of being at moderate risk (AOR 1.83; 95% CI 1.08, 3.11) and almost sevenfold greater odds (AOR 6.93; 95% CI 4.03-11.93) of being at high risk for problem gambling. Psychological distress was associated with being at high risk for problem gambling only (AOR 1.18; 95% CI 1.14-1.22). After stratifying by urbanicity, hazardous/harmful alcohol use and psychological distress remained associated with high risk gambling across all locations. We found little knowledge of a free gambling helpline and other gambling services-particularly in less urbanised environments [χ(2) (2), 900=40.4; p<0.001]. These findings highlight the need to increase awareness of free helpline services among gamblers and to ensure gambling services include screening and treatment for common mental disorders.

Improved outcomes following contact with a gambling helpline: the impact of gender on barriers and facilitators

Gambling helplines were developed at a time when evidence for help-seeking was almost entirely based on male gamblers and there is limited evidence that helplines have changed in response to the exponential increase in female gamblers over the past 20 years. The current study aimed to explore the impact of gender on calls to Australian helplines, including caller characteristics, barriers and facilitators to contact as well as call outcomes. We surveyed 170 callers (94% problem gamblers, 61% male) approximately 1 month following their helpline call and found gender differences in terms of age, preferred gambling type, employment and source of referral. Males reported barriers related to pride and problem denial more frequently than females did, and also reported more frequent problems associated with the welfare of others and/or their living arrangements that facilitated their calling. Males and females were equally likely to seek further help from formal, informal and self-help resources. With only 10% of callers not accessing further help, these findings highlight the importance of helplines as a key support for both men and women with gambling problems.

Treatment-seeking precipitators in problem gambling: analysis of data from a gambling helpline.

Although research on treatment precipitators for problem gambling is scarce, telephone surveys have consistently shown that financial and emotional problems resulting from problem gambling are the factors which recovered or active gamblers most frequently report as treatment precipitators. The present study sought to build on previous evidence by analyzing the demographic and gambling-related information provided by gamblers calling the helpline operated by the New Mexico Council on Problem Gambling and receiving a referral to private counseling. Specifically we examined the differences between the callers who initiated treatment with a private counselor after receiving the referral (n = 223), and those who were likewise referred to counseling but did not attend the first appointment (n = 231). The 2 groups could only be distinguished by the fact that the therapy-initiating group cited family or financial problems as the reason for calling the helpline. Further analyses revealed that helpline staff also had an influence on counseling initiation. These findings, along with other differences between groups call for further research on the most effective ways of targeting problem gamblers who call a helpline so as to facilitate their progression to the action stage of change.

Evaluation of the quality of services provided by a gambling helpline: an empirical study

This study evaluates the quality of the services provided by a helpline according to the type of caller and the type of request. One hundred and fifteen bogus calls made by simulated clients were used for the evaluation. Results showed that 87% of the calls received an adequate response from the helpline information/referral counsellors (IRCs). Referral requests made by a loved one were less frequently rated as adequate. The quality of responses was better for requests for a referral than they were for information. The simulated client method allowed for experimentation in how a caller could respond emotionally when contacting the helpline. The method revealed that answers given to a loved one could be frustrating and that some IRCs have more difficulties providing general information about gambling than providing the name of a rehabilitation centre. These results should help to improve the quality of the services offered by the helpline to respond more specifically to the callers' information and referral requests.

Examination of Proposed DSM‐5 Changes to Pathological Gambling in a Helpline Sample

To examine the effect of proposed the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) changes to pathological gambling relative to DSM-IV criteria in a large gambling helpline sample (N = 2,750). Changes in prevalence rates, the diagnostic utility of the illegal acts criterion, and severity of alternative diagnostic formulation thresholds were examined. Callers to the helpline completed a semistructured interview and DSM-IV criteria were assessed. Without lowering the diagnostic threshold, removal of the illegal acts criterion resulted in loss of diagnostic status in less than 2% of helpline callers. The DSM-IV prevalence rate in this sample was 81.2%, and DSM-5 formulations with lowered thresholds of 4, 3, and 2 symptoms increased prevalence rates by 9% to 17%. However, item-level symptom endorsement suggested that subclinical gamblers experience significant adverse consequences. Lowered thresholds may lead to earlier provision of treatment to gamblers and prevent escalation of the disorder, while being more consistent with diagnostic thresholds of other addiction disorders.

Professional Help-Seeking for Gambling Problems: Awareness, Barriers and Motivators for Treatment

Despite the negative consequences associated with gambling, few problem gamblers seek professional help. This study aimed to examine awareness of professional sources of help and help-seeking behaviour amongst regular and problem gamblers. Australian gamblers (N = 730) were recruited from the general population, multicultural gambling venues, and gambling helplines and treatment services. Surveys measured awareness of professional help services, help-seeking behaviour and motivators and barriers to seeking help. Gamblers demonstrated low awareness of professional help services. Problem gamblers born in Australia or who were divorced were more likely to seek help. Problem gamblers who were reluctant to seek help due to a desire solve the problem on their own and feeling ashamed for themselves or their family pride were more likely to have overcome these barriers to seek help. However, significant barriers related to denial of problem severity and concerns about the ability to access low cost services that cater for multicultural populations predicted a lower likelihood of having sought help. Public education should aim to de-mystify the treatment process and educate gamblers about symptoms of problem gambling to reduce shame, stigma, and denial and encourage help-seeking. Ongoing education and promotion of help services is required to increase awareness of the resources available, including targeted promotions to increase awareness of relevant services among specific populations.

All in the Family: Help-Seeking by Significant Others of Problem Gamblers

Problem gambling can significantly affect the lives of concerned significant others (CSOs) of problem gamblers, especially family members, but little is known about their help-seeking activities and experiences. This paper explores help-seeking by CSOs of problem gamblers and their related motivators and barriers. A telephone interview was administered to 48 CSOs who called an Australian gambling helpline seeking assistance for themselves and/or a person with gambling problems. Key motivators for seeking help (through helplines, non-professional sources, and self-help measures) were concerns the gambling might become a major problem, negative emotions, problems maintaining normal daily activities, concerns for dependents’ welfare, and health concerns. Barriers included wanting to solve the problem on their own, and shame. Findings highlight the need to better equip CSOs to assist both the person with gambling problems towards treatment and recovery and to protect their own physical, emotional, social and financial wellbeing.

Who Goes to Treatment? Predictors of Treatment Initiation among Gambling Help‐Line Callers

Although the consequences of problem gambling can be severe, few ever seek treatment for this disorder. Problem gambling help-lines represent a crucial point of entry into the treatment system. Through brief telephone counseling, help-lines have the potential of enhancing callers' motivations to engage in longer-term treatment. We prospectively examined treatment initiation and its predictors among individuals calling a state help-line. Participants (n = 143) were assessed shortly after their initial call and re-contacted at least two months later. Overall 67% of the re-contacted help-line callers had attended at least one treatment session at the time of the follow-up interview (92.7% formal treatment and 28.1% peer-support meetings). Multivariate analysis revealed that gambling-related financial difficulties and past treatment for problem gambling (but not for mental health or substance abuse) predicted treatment initiation. Enhanced counseling focusing on motivational factors may result in better treatment engagement for some problem gamblers.

Epidemiology of Problem Gambling in a Canadian Community

Pathological gambling became a public health concern in most countries in the 1990s, shortly after the liberalization of gambling policies and practices. Various communitywide surveys have examined population-level gambling behaviours, the prevalence of gambling problems, their antecedents, and their correlates. Early studies suggest that approximately 3–5 % of a given population have some level of gambling problems and that this prevalence is relatively stable across communities and among most countries (Doiron and Nicki 2001). However, there is evidence of changing patterns of gambling behaviour across communities and possibly a change in prevalence rates (Stucki and Rihs-Middel 2007). Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada with a population estimate of 1.04 million (Saskatchewan Bureau of Statistics 2010). Gambling revenues suggest that gaming activities are popular in Saskatchewan, with residents having multiple gambling options available. The provincial gaming net revenues from wagers on government-controlled games have steadily increased from $62 million in 1992 to $641 million in 2008. Saskatchewan’s gambling revenue per capita was the second lowest in Canada after the northern territories in 1992 ($86), but increased to the highest per capita revenue in 2008 ($825); the national average was $528 (Statistics Canada 2006, 2007, 2009). These increases are likely due to increases in and better access to gambling venues and similar to gambling revenue increases in other parts of Canada. The government of Saskatchewan earmarked 0.5 % of gambling revenues for allocation to problem gambling initiatives in 2010. Problem gambling services include programs that promote responsible use of Video-LotteryTerminals, training to gambling industry employees, a problem gambling helpline, and funding of various organizations that work to raise awareness and offer support programs in prevention, treatment, public policy, and public resources (Problem Gambling.ca 2010). A limited number of empirical studies have reported the incidence of gambling in Saskatchewan. In 1994, a government sponsored study (N = 878), using the South Oaks Gambling Screen (Lesieur and Blume 1987), estimated an upper limit of 29,100 adults as problem or probable pathological gamblers, representing 2.9 % of the population (Volberg 1994). In 2002, 1,848 adults were administered the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI) (Ferris et al. 1998) in a telephone survey. Reported prevalence of all levels of gambling problems was 15.15 % (Wynne 2002). The report estimated an upper limit of 135,400 adults at risk or already exhibiting serious gambling problems. Past year participation in gambling activities had risen from 53 % in 1994 (Volberg 1994) to 86 % in 2002 (Wynne 2002). Data from Statistics Canada’s CCHS cycle 1.2 (2001–2001) with 2,032 Saskatchewan residents in face-to-face interviews also using the CPGI, reported lower rates of past year gambling engagement at 75.4 %, with an estimated combined rate of 7.1 % of the population having gambling problems (Faregh 2009). Given the use of different instruments and methodologies, a direct comparison N. Faregh (&) McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada e-mail: nedafaregh@gmail.com